A Territorial Court judge on Friday will hear Sen. Alicia "Chucky" Hansen’s request for a permanent injunction against the V.I. government-Beal Aerospace land exchange agreement.
On Thursday Hansen was encouraging residents who are opposed to the land swap to join her suit. Her motion is expected to be heard at 1 p.m.
"Whether it’s one or a million people," she said, "it will send a clear message…"
At least one senator, Adlah "Foncie" Donastorg, said he will add his name to the suit.
"I wanted to add my name" Donastorg said. "Not necessarily to stop the project, but to stop the development of Camp Arawak."
On Tuesday, by a 10-to-5 vote, senators approved the land exchange, enabling Beal to acquire 14.5 acres of land at Camp Arawak, adjacent to Great Pond Bay. The land will be used as part of a parking lot for the company’s proposed $57-million headquarters and rocket assembly plant.
Beal already has an option on approximately 280 acres adjacent to the bay. The 340,000-square-foot assembly plant would be the largest single structure in the Eastern Caribbean, occupying up to eight acres.
Hansen is opposing the land swap because the property was deeded to the V.I. government in 1974 for "the express and direct purpose of beach, park and other public recreational use."
"No governor or senator should determine what is one done to that property," said Donastorg.
"That piece of land is priceless," added Hansen.